Knies scored a goal on his lone shot in Monday's 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins.
Knies got Toronto on the board early in the second period, directing a T.J. Brodie feed past Alex Nedeljkovic to tie the game 1-1. The 21-year-old Knies now has three goals over his last four games and points in six of the last seven contests. Knies has emerged as a legitimate scoring threat in a middle-six role -- he's up to 15 goals and 35 points through 75 games this season.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Reassigned to AHL
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Knies, who exited Thursday's game because of an undisclosed injury, was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Friday, per Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun. It's believed this move is merely a paper transaction.
Knies has 11 goals, 36 points, 33 PIM and 127 hits in 61 NHL contests this season. Even if he is just temporarily being moved to the minors for cap reasons or to maintain his eligibility for the AHL playoffs, Knies being reassigned indicates that he's healthy enough to play. It wouldn't be surprising to see him recalled before Saturday's game against the Canadiens.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Gets 11th goal of season
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Knies scored a goal Thursday in a 4-2 win over Arizona.
It was an easy tap-in to open the scoring. Mitchell Marner stole a puck at the defensive blue line and took off on a breakaway, only to leave a between-the-legs drop pass for Knies who tapped it in from the top of the goal crease. Knies has 11 goals and 26 points in 57 games this season. Yes, more was expected from the rookie this year, but he's just one season removed from the NCAA, and his future is very bright.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Assists in back-to-back games
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Knies (knee) picked up an assist Thursday in a 4-3 OT loss to the Islanders.
Thankfully, he was no worse for wear after twisting his knee at practice. Knies has an assist in two consecutive games. He has shown bursts of impressive effort this season, but he hasn't been able to convert that to consistent offense. Knies has one goal in his last 11 games. And in his last 16 games since the start of Dec, Knies has just six points, including two goals. His future is bright, but he's a tough fantasy play in single-year formats right now.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Goals few and far between
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Knies scored a goal Wednesday in a 4-2 loss to Ottawa. It was his eighth of the season.
Auston Matthews' shot deflected off Knies' skate in the slot at 5:41 of the first to open the scoring. It was Knies first goal in four games, and it was just his second goal and fourth point in his last 12 games. He shows tremendous presence and potential on the ice, but like so many young players, Knies can be a challenging play with many dry spells.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Ruled out again
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Knies (illness) will not be available versus Columbus on Thursday, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports.
Knies skated Thursday morning but won't be ready to suit up against the Blue Jackets. The 21-year-old winger is currently mired in a six-game goal drought during which he has registered just six shots while recording a lone assist. Still, once cleared to play, the youngster could be thrust back into a top-six role while seeing opportunities with the No. 2 power-play unit.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Third goal in five games
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Knies scored a goal Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Knies drove the net and punched in a rebound in the first period that put the Leafs up 2-1. It was his third goal in five games and sixth in 19 this season. Knies is seeing time alongside first-line studs Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, and he doesn't look out of place. The 21-year-old Knies is on the rise.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Posts power-play helper
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Knies recorded a power-play assist and three hits in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Stars.
Knies dropped down to the third line for this game. He helped out on Tyler Bertuzzi's third-period marker as the Maple Leafs' second power-play unit made some noise. Knies saw 52 seconds of power-play time Thursday after drawing just 10 seconds with the man advantage over the first six games. He has four points, nine shots on net, eight hits, six PIM and a plus-1 rating through seven outings while mainly working in a middle-six role.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Short circuits Bolts to force OT
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Knies scored twice in the third period and added an assist Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning.
Knies' goals tied the game and forced overtime. They were his first regular-season NHL goals. He scored in the postseason last year, and interestingly enough, seven of Knies' eight NHL points have come against the Bolts when you add in those playoff games.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Practicing Friday
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Knies (concussion) is partaking in an optional practice Friday, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reports.
This is the first time that Knies has returned to the ice since suffering the injury in Game 2 versus Florida on May 4. Knies has played quite well for the Maple Leafs since signing his entry-level contract April 9. He has a goal and four points in seven postseason games. Knies should be considered doubtful for Game 5 on Friday, but could return Sunday, if there is a Game 6.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Unlikely to return Friday
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Knies (concussion) isn't expected to return for Game 5 against Florida on Friday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Knies sustained the injury May 4 and has missed the Maple Leafs' last two contests. The 20-year-old was doing well in the playoffs prior to the injury, scoring a goal and four points in seven appearances. Knies hasn't resumed skating, so he might not be close to playing.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Won't finish Game 2
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Knies (undisclosed) won't finish Thursday's Game 2 versus the Panthers.
Knies struggled to the bench after a shift in the first period, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the game at the start of the second. He logged one hit in 5:33 of ice time Thursday. An update on his status should be available before Sunday's Game 3.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Scores first NHL goal
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Knies scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Florida.
Knies' first NHL goal was an impressive one, grabbing a feed in the slot before spinning around Sergei Bobrovsky and burying a backhander to get the Leafs on the board in the second period. Knies, a second-round pick in 2021, signed with the Leafs late in the regular season following his NCAA career with the University of Minnesota. He was immediately put in a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The move appears to be paying dividends thus far -- Knies has a goal and three assists through six postseason contests.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Instrumental on series winner
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Knies picked up an assist on the game-winning goal Saturday in a 2-1 overtime victory over Tampa Bay in Game 6.
Once again, Knies acquitted himself like a veteran in the game and was instrumental in setting up the series-clinching goal. He controlled the puck behind the net and maintained possession before getting it to John Tavares, who circled the net. Knies once again got the puck and popped it back to the captain, who skated out, wheeled around and fired a shot that ricocheted off a Bolts player's skate and in. Knies is big, strong and fast, and that's a great combination in Toronto's top six.
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Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies: Best Leaf on ice in OT win?
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Knies picked up an assist in 19:15 of ice time in a 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 3.
The kid hasn't been overwhelmed in making the jump from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs. In fact, Knies may have been the best Leaf on the ice Saturday. His speed and strength were on display on every shift, and he spent most of the game on the top lines. Remember Knies' name next draft -- he could vie for the Calder trophy next season, especially if he gets a permanent gig in the top six. And that's even with Connor Bedard headed to the NHL. Look at what a top-six role did for Michael Bunting as a rookie.
